Catching Pokémon is central to Pokémon GO, but the capture animation can slow you down when many appear at once. Quick Catch helps you move through wild encounters faster, especially during Community Day, Spotlight Hour, and other events. Saving seconds per encounter matters when dozens of Pokémon appear. Stay aware of your surroundings when playing outdoors. Always stop somewhere safe before playing, and never use your phone while driving or cycling.
Quick Catch is a player-discovered trick, not an official setting. It does not improve your catch rate or guarantee that a Pokémon will stay in the ball. It simply lets you leave the encounter sooner and check the result afterward.
What Is Quick Catch in Pokémon GO?
Quick Catch, also called Fast Catch, uses the berry or Poké Ball menu to make the encounter’s exit button available while the capture animation plays. You throw as usual, then leave without watching the full sequence.
The game still decides whether the Pokémon was caught. Successful catches enter Pokémon Storage; failed attempts may leave the Pokémon on the map.
How to Perform the Quick Catch Trick
The method is easiest with two hands. Follow these steps using the Poké Ball menu:
- Open Pokémon GO and tap a wild Pokémon to start an encounter. Make sure you are on the catch screen, with the berry and Poké Ball menus visible.
- Place one finger on the Poké Ball menu at the lower-right side of the screen.
- Without lifting that finger, drag the menu slightly toward the center of the screen. Keep holding it so the menu does not fully open.
- With your other hand, throw a Poké Ball at the Pokémon. Aim normally, and try a curveball if you are comfortable throwing one. You do not need to change your usual throwing technique.
- Wait until the ball hits the Pokémon, then release the finger holding the menu. Releasing too early can interrupt the sequence, so timing matters.
- The menu should open, and the Run Away button should be available in the upper-left corner. Tap it to exit the encounter.
- You will return to the map. Tap the Pokémon again to check the result. If caught, the game may block another encounter or show an error. You can also check Pokémon Storage.
The movement may feel awkward at first. Practise on common Pokémon. If the menu opens too early or the exit button does not appear, reset the encounter and try again. Small differences in screen size and finger placement can affect how easy the trick feels.
Tips for Better Results
These habits can help:
- Use it for common spawns: Catch many Pokémon for Stardust, Candy, and event research.
- Check storage: Transfer unwanted Pokémon if your Pokémon Storage is full.
- Restock balls: Spin PokéStops and open eligible gifts before long sessions.
- Aim carefully: Curveballs and Nice, Great, or Excellent throws can improve catch chances and rewards.
- Practise first: Learn the timing before trying to catch quickly.
Does Quick Catch Always Work?
No. Quick Catch does not guarantee a capture, and its behaviour can change after updates. Pokémon can break free or flee, and some encounters behave differently from ordinary wild Pokémon. Pokémon attracted by Incense or Lure Modules may remain visible on the map briefly, so visibility alone does not confirm a failed catch.
For rare or Shiny Pokémon, or encounters you cannot easily repeat, catch normally and confirm the result. Quick Catch is best when speed matters more than watching each animation.
Is Quick Catch an Official Feature?
No. Pokémon GO has no Quick Catch toggle in Settings. This player-discovered menu interaction may change or stop working after an update. Avoid third-party tools that promise automated catching; they are not the same as this manual trick.
